This week for the Magic
The Orlando Magic are currently 52-22 (30-7 home, 22-15 road) and are in 1st place in the SE 4 1/2 games ahead of second place Atlanta (47-26). The Magic are the second seed in the East, 6 games behind number one seed Cleveland (58-16) and 4 1/2 games ahead of third seed Boston (47-26). The Magic have the third best record in the NBA behind Cleveland and the LA Lakers (54-20).
The Magic are averaging 101.9 ppg (10th) and allowing 95.0 ppg (6th). The Magic have an offensive rating of 110.3 (8th) and a defensive rating of 102.8 (3rd).
Last season after 74 games, the Magic were 55-19.
Here is the schedule for the Magic this week:
Apr. 1st: at Dallas (8 PM) 49-25, 26-11 home, 6-4 last 10 games
Apr. 2nd: at San Antonio (8:30 PM) 44-29, 26-11 home, 6-4 last 10 games
Apr. 4th: Memphis (6 PM) 38-35, 16-20 road, 6-4 last 10 games
The "magic number" for the Magic to clinching the second seed over Boston and Atlanta is four. The "magic number" for Cleveland for clinching the number one seed over the Magic is three.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 2:15 AM
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on track when they face the San Antonio Spurs (40-25, 16-15 road) for the first time this season at home Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Magic found themselves on a roll before Sunday’s affair, rattling off eight consecutive victories by an average of 18.1 points per game, but they were unable to get that same type of offensive output against the Bobcats. Despite getting efficient offense out of Dwight Howard, Mickael Pietrus and Vince Carter – who combined for 70 of the Magic’s 89 points – Orlando did not get 
different agenda. The Charlotte Bobcats are hoping to qualify for the postseason for the first time in their relatively short franchise history. They currently occupy the sixth seed in the East. Along with a prestigious head coach, Larry Brown, and two first-rate level players in Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace (who will miss tonight's game due to injury), Charlotte has depth up front and speed in the backcourt. Some NBA critics and analysts believe come playoff time the Bobcats are the one team who can stun any of the top teams in the East, including the Cavaliers, Magic, Hawks and Celtics. In fact, Charlotte has defeated Cleveland (twice) and the L.A. Lakers this season. Orlando, nonetheless, has beaten Charlotte twice this season – once at Amway Arena and again at Time Warner Cable Arena. On Nov. 16, seven Magic players scored in double figures as Orlando won in Rashard Lewis’ first game of the season. This was also the first game for Jackson in a Bobcats uniform. On Jan. 23, Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson each recorded 21 points as the Magic held off the Bobcats in overtime and snapped Charlotte’s nine-game home winning streak.
two teams meet up again on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET in the nation’s capital, the Magic will see a much different opponent. The Wizards dealt away a few of their premier players at the February trade deadline. Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson were sent to Dallas and Antawn Jamison was traded to Cleveland. In return, Washington ultimately ended up with Al Thornton and Josh Howard, who, shortly after arriving, tore his ACL to finish his season. At the start of the 2009-10 campaign, the Wizards were expected to be one of the Magic’s biggest challengers in the Southeast Division. But, Gilbert Arenas’ absence, on-the-court chemistry issues and frequent injuries to some of their essential role players ended any title dreams in D.C. Nevertheless, Orlando must come prepared to clash with an opponent that has nothing to lose. At this point of the season, it’s common for teams who are already out of the playoff picture to upset some of the elite teams. When examining the schedule the rest of the way, the Magic will play several of these non-playoff teams. As a result, one can expect Head Coach Stan Van Gundy to preach this message to his players. Orlando’s coaching staff, though, can rest a bit easier since many of the Magic players are seasoned veterans who understand the strange dynamic of an NBA season.
campaign this Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. This contest will determine the outcome of the season series, since the Magic and Bulls have split their two meetings thus far. After dropping a 101-93 decision on Jan. 2, Orlando bounced back for a 107-87 blowout victory over Chicago on Feb. 10. The Magic used a balanced offensive attack in that affair as seven of their players scored in double figures. This matchup will be extremely meaningful to the Bulls, who are currently fighting for a chance at the postseason. They’ve lost their past five games, and trail the Charlotte Bobcats by one game for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
There would potentially be nothing more satisfying for Magic supporters than to get revenge on the reigning champions. On Sunday in front of a national audience, the Magic (43-20, 24-6 home) will have an opportunity to earn some retribution when they host the Lakers at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Last June, L.A. captured its 15th NBA Title when it eliminated Orlando in five games. However, the Magic played very competitively in the series and nearly won two of the four games they lost. It would be a humongous confidence builder if the Magic can prove they can beat the Lakers. The last time these two teams played at STAPLES Center on Jan. 18, L.A. snuck out a 98-92 triumph. Orlando, nonetheless, played extremely well and for a portion of the contest thoroughly outplayed the West’s top squad. Dwight Howard registered 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis posted 18 points and Matt Barnes had an all-around solid game with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Since that loss, the Magic are an impressive 17-5 and have re-established their dominance in the Eastern Conference, while the Lakers have lost two games in a row to teams around the .500 mark (Miami and Charlotte).
Golden State and then revisit the northeast for a meeting with the New Jersey Nets (6-54, 3-27 home). Nevertheless, Friday’s contest (8 p.m. ET) allows Vince Carter to return to the place he flourished at for half a decade. The eight-time All-Star helped the Nets reach the playoffs in three of the five seasons he was there before being traded along with Ryan Anderson this past summer to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. The last time he visited New Jersey on Oct. 30, Carter was having an outstanding night before spraining his left ankle in the first half. Nets fans, however, offered their former superstar a very warm welcome back. Meanwhile, a former Magic fan favorite has begun to play very effectively for his new team. Despite New Jersey struggling this season, Lee has recently increased his scoring average to more than 12 points per game after two tremendous performances last week. He matched a season-best with 28 points against Portland and followed with 21 points in a shocking Nets victory over Boston before spraining his ankle. Lee missed Sunday’s game against Washington and his return date is still questionable.
Wednesday. Orlando earned a victory in Golden State earlier this season when it notched a 126-118 shootout victory on Dec. 5. Eight-time All-Star Vince Carter was a key factor in that triumph, posting a team-high 27 points, while Mickael Pietrus scored a then season-high 22. Notching a win at Amway Arena will be a difficult challenge for Golden State. Not only is Orlando one of the toughest home teams in the NBA with a 23-6 record, but the Warriors have been atrocious on the road, going 4-24 away from the friendly confines of ORACLE Arena. The Warriors, on the first game of a five game road trip, lost 110-106 loss at Miami Tuesday night, as three of their top players (Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, and Andris Biedrins) did not play due to injury and are not expected to play on the road trip.